Implications for practice and research

Greater calcium intake is encouraged for bone health, but has unclear cardiovascular consequences.

In a large cohort of Swedish women, total calcium intake of <600 or ≥1400 mg/day was associated with an increased risk of
total mortality (TM) and cardiovascular disease mortality (CVDM).

It is important to emphasise adequate dietary calcium intake in patients, with calcium supplementation only when necessary.

Context

Sufficient calcium intake is required for bone health. Recommended daily calcium increases with age, reaching 1500 mg/day
by the age of 65 years. Intake of calcium-rich foods tends to be inadequate, with a large proportion of predominantly older
women taking high-dose calcium supplements1 to increase the …